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2012 CHRYSLER 300

5.7L V8 Hemi•RWD•AUTOMATIC•gas
5-Year Cost of Ownership
$31,132 maintenance + known platform issues
~$6,226/yr · 520¢/mile equivalent · $5,159 maintenance + $5,523 expected platform issues
Compare this engine
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3.6L V6
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3.6L V6 Pentastar
vs
5.7L V8 HEMI
Common Problems & Known Issues

The 2012 Chrysler 300 on the LX platform is a solid rear-drive sedan when maintained, but the ZF 8-speed automatic and certain V8 engine issues separate the good examples from the money pits. The 3.6L Pentastar is generally more reliable than the 5.7L Hemi.

ZF 8-Speed Transmission Solenoid Pack & TCM Failures

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: harsh or delayed shifting, especially 2-3 or 3-4, limp mode with P0755 or P0731 codes, transmission slipping under moderate acceleration, grinding or clunking on downshifts
Fix: Requires transmission pan removal, valve body solenoid replacement (often the entire mechatronic unit), fluid flush, and TCM software update. 4-6 labor hours if solenoids only; 8-12 hours if valve body replacement needed. Some require complete transmission R&R for internal clutch pack damage.
Estimated cost: $1,800-4,500

5.7L Hemi Multi-Displacement System (MDS) Lifter Failure

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: ticking or tapping noise from engine at idle, worse when warm, misfire codes on cylinders 1, 4, 6, or 7, Check Engine Light with P0300-series codes, loss of power under load
Fix: Failed MDS lifters require cylinder head removal on the affected bank, lifter replacement, camshaft inspection (often worn lobes), and valve train reassembly. 12-16 labor hours per bank. Many techs replace all 16 lifters preventively. Oil consumption issues often accompany this.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks at Radiator

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: pink or red fluid puddles under front of car, low transmission fluid warnings, burnt transmission smell, transmission slipping or overheating after highway driving
Fix: Rubber lines at the radiator end-tank harden and crack. Replace both cooler lines, top off fluid, and inspect radiator for cross-contamination (coolant in trans fluid is catastrophic). 2-3 labor hours. If coolant mixed into trans, full flush and often transmission replacement needed.
Estimated cost: $400-800

Alternator Voltage Regulator Failure

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: battery light on dash, voltage gauge showing 11V or 17V+ (should be 13.5-14.5V), dimming headlights or electrical glitches, no-start after sitting overnight
Fix: Alternator replacement. Serpentine belt removal, three bolts, electrical connector. 1.5-2 labor hours. NHTSA recalls covered some units, but many fall outside recall criteria. Use OEM or quality reman—cheap parts fail in 6 months.
Estimated cost: $450-750

Rear Transmission Mount Collapse

Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: clunk when shifting into Drive or Reverse, vibration at idle in gear, driveline shudder on hard acceleration, visible sag of transmission tailhousing
Fix: Rubber mount deteriorates, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Lift vehicle, support transmission, remove two bolts, replace mount. 1-1.5 labor hours. Inspect driveshaft and u-joints while in there.
Estimated cost: $250-400

3.6L Pentastar Water Pump Failure

Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: coolant leak from front-center of engine, whining or grinding noise from accessory drive, overheating under load, coolant puddle after overnight sit
Fix: Water pump is internally mounted, driven by timing chain. Requires front cover removal, timing chain R&R, water pump replacement, coolant flush. 6-8 labor hours. Replace thermostat and hoses while apart.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800

Fuel Filter Clogging & Fuel Pump Module Failures

Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: hard starting after sitting, stumble or hesitation on acceleration, stalling at idle or low speed, fuel smell from tank area
Fix: In-tank fuel pump module with integral filter clogs or pump motor fails. Drop fuel tank, replace pump module assembly. 3-4 labor hours. Recommend fuel system cleaning and new fuel cap if EVAP codes present.
Estimated cost: $650-1,100
Owner tips
  • Change transmission fluid every 60k miles regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims—ZF 8-speed longevity depends on it
  • Use 5W-20 full synthetic oil on the Hemi and change every 5k miles to prevent MDS lifter failures—cheap insurance
  • Inspect transmission cooler lines annually after 60k miles; they're $50 in parts but $4k in damage if they leak unnoticed
  • Check alternator voltage at battery with engine running—should be 13.5-14.5V; anything else means replace before you're stranded
Buy the 3.6L Pentastar with service records and a pre-purchase inspection; avoid high-mileage 5.7L Hemis unless lifters and transmission have been addressed.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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